Bill Kenwright has sent a message to Everton fans following the disappointment of matches moving back closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
2,000 Everton supporters have been able to attend the recent matches at Goodison Park against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United when the Liverpool city region was in tier 2.
However the move back into tier 3 following the rise in Covid-19 cases means the New Year's Day clash against West Ham United this evening will again be played before an empty stadium.
Blues chairman Kenwright has expressed his disappointment at the situation and said it would have been great to face former Blues manager David Moyes’ Hammers in front of a crowd.
“It’s sad that we won’t have our ‘2,000 that sound like 20,000’ at the game", he said.
"I have little doubt that they would have given Carlo a standing ovation for this first game of the New Year.
"And I have little doubt that they would also have saluted David Moyes for the job he’s doing at West Ham and the years of great service he gave to this club.”
Meanwhile Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti praised Moyes for the job he has done at the London Stadium since his arrival a year ago, just days after the Italian's Goodison appointment.
“We joined our clubs at the same time. Last season was a difficult season and he avoided relegation.
"This season is a different season. They are competing at the top of the table and have won a lot of games.
“I have a lot of respect for his team. Everybody at Everton knows David’s ability as a manager and the performances of West Ham this season have been really good.
“They have character and players with different skills and have had some fantastic results.
"Away from home they have won at Leicester City and Leeds United and they recovered from 3-0 down to draw with Tottenham Hotspur.”
Everton go into the game this evening at Goodison (5.30pm kick off) fourth in the Premier League table, six points ahead of the Hammers in tenth having played a game less.
